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Show apinion p'aae September 10, 1999 The Summit County Bee Page A2 Tell Me About It Good At Thdi? Job by Leon Slmliter If I've ever learned anything in this journey of life, it would he that cheapest isn't always bestest. Especially when it comes to garbage collection - or as would now be politically correct - waste management. It seems as if our current, totally dependable, competent, hometown Services. may lose business. their present contract with Summit County for garbage collection services. The bidding process, asked for by the County Commissioners, is on the verge of being awarded to a Salt Lake City company. BFI. Inc., because their bid came in at $3.44, per home per month, as compared to G A F at $6.17. In addition to this, the Commission is already contemplating an increase on com- mercial rates for the collection of ' refuse from businesses. Will the the 33 cent increase, then, off-sdifference in the bids? There is also Gif et the possibility, that with this ; change, we residents will be billed privately for the collection services, in addition to our already high tax bills. ACE Collection, the only other bidder, came in high at $6.30, which makes an interesting observation. As in the majority of bid openings, oftentimes the highest and the lowest bids are looked at with a jaundiced eye and the real considerations are given towards the bids in the middle of the pack. For example, the city of Farmington recently awarded their waste collection contract to a company that was third highest from the low bids received. No bid. however, except by some of the packs of leadership, is awarded until a check is thorough back-grou- nd done on the bidder whom, at first or face value, seems to be the lucky recipient mainly because of price. In this Summit County scenario, it appears as if BFI will be the awardee of the contract. It should be noted, also, that BFI first requested an extension of the to August August 2 bid dead-lin- e 16. which was granted. It was reported that other two bidders had their bids ready by the original date. There are several reasons why contracts should be awarded to d companies. Best of all is that national economists make home-base- the argument that the money spent (especially tax money) with businesses that are already established within the community, will recycle as many as nine times before it leaves that community. There is no question that G & F is an established, local community business, and has been so for over twenty years. The lame argument has been that, due to their merger with Waste Disposal who is not primarily based in Summit County, then G & F should not be considered a local business. The merger, however, certainly docs not detract from the fact that G & F employs thirty people who do live in Summit County and who do spend the majority of their incomes here. Besides that, they not only operate and maintain all their local based equipment here, but the taxes on this equipment comes to Summit County as well. Local base location was one of the items demanded in the contract in order to bid. BFI's location base is in Salt Lake County. So if they now have to purchase a site in order to comply with the contract, how soon would this occur and. at the present astronomical prices of real estate would it result in an immediate for a service price increase? Further, would it be given and would it exceed the bid tendered by G & F? In talking to Commissioner Pat on Works also and Cone, Administrator, LaMar Richins, I was comforted somewhat by realiz- ing that the contract, although imminent, has not yet been award- ed. This is scheduled for the Commission meeting on September 13 (Monday). So it's entirely possible that if enough of you good people in Summit County who are already satisfied, and see no need to change simply because there may be a short-tersavings (and again, it may result in more expenses), and m if you were to call or write the Commissioners expressing your views on this proposal, they just might vote the right way. My personal opinion (jut in case you missed something early-ois that, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I think the current services we enjoy from G & F are a long way from needing fixing (I've been a customer of theirs for 20 years -home and business) and have been totally satisfied with their services. I would urge our county commisn) sioners to look very seriously towards making no change and in continuing to retain our current collection company. Lets keep this industry in Summit County and retain our advantage of using our own dollars nine, or more, times before they leave - perhaps never to return again. Thought for the Day: "It is always thus, impelled by a state of mind that is destined not to last, that we make our irrevocable decisions." Marcel Proust. Pam's PIace As I have commented on before, I would go away, as several do. working Monday" After working as a cook and waitress. I understand the pressures the job brings with it and some people you really do wish would go away. Sooo. I have learned to relax and give them the benefit of the doubt. I have cleaned condo's in the everything which was sometimes a very hard really do not like it when there is no because seems to be piled up on Tuesday and the intensity grows bigger as deadlines are even closer. I know it is nice to have an extra day to rest" HAH!!!, but things sure are quiet as stores, banks, post office and other places of business are closed to allow employees a break. Labor Day! this causes some food for thought. It reminds me how many places of employment there are out there to help other people make their own lives easier. Having worked with the public since my first job in a small cafe, several things creep into my thoughts as I realize just how important it is to have a positive attitude. It isn't easy at times, but works better than being negative, which only brings you and others down. Caught myself doing that lately as several things both in my personal life and business caused me some concern. Going to a restaurant recently, I came across something that is waitress becoming a rare thing-th- e fun was and and attentive actually didn't act as though she wished we Deer Valley area of Park City, task and often a thankless job. Occasionally, the odd person would actually say thank you and made the job better for a time. It was a time I learned there really were a lot of different people in the world out there as we cleaned for people of all nationalities and personalities. The ones we figured would tip, never did, while those we never thought would leave, would write a nice note or leave a good tip. I remember one grandmother telling our crew to just forget the grandkids room, they are slobs and can pick up their own items. Needless to say, the next day. the cleaning was much faster in that home." One of my other jobs was working in a shoe store in the mall area. Now that was a real treat! I really didn't realize how many people like to change the shoes around, mix them up, put them back in the wrong place, and try to steal them. I really learned a lot from that job as well. I learned that if I put an item into a shopping cart and decide I dont want it. I make sure it goes back where it belongs. It was a nightmare sometimes trying to straighten things up, before leav ing your shift. I .2 would like to compliment those who work with the public as it really is a hard job, trying to make everything run smoothly and to your satisfaction. Those who gather up the garbage, those who deliver the paper, those who. work in the stores, in restaurants. I salute those willing to take risks and often abusive language and criticism in order to help take care of their families. Guess we never know what someone is really thinking or going through in their lives. We would have to walk a mile in their shoes in order to do so. Many times, as humans, we find it easier to judge than to leave a situation alone and let nature take its course. Bad situations always come or without our help. to a head-wit- h bad when Maybe things happen to a person, it would be better to just ignore it instead of adding to the rumor mill-th- e family may have enough to go through without our added help. Enough said Recently, on a card I read, was the statement: In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity. How true! Many times we lose our way because something happens we don't like or think we can't handle, when in reality it can actually make us stronger. I recently received a copy of some words which struck me deeply. Earth life is the time for making choices-Eternit- y is a time for remembering what we chose." Have a super week See ya next time. PARENTiiNQ (or Lesson 56.972 ThEREAboUTS) and screaming for help!) Are you beginning to see how I may have altered When fishing with young, impressionable children -life for and the control of my child's life? I later overheard her discussing with begging try to avoid losing her young friend the demise of the poor fish. I tried to the trout. What! I felt sorry for the poor creature, being intervene and explain to them that fish are different snatched from its home with a sharp object attached to from humans, they dont think and feel like we do. its bottom lip. Some may argue that the young cutThey dont have jobs, they don't drive cars. The two young girls quickly set me straight. For throat deserved it, after all if he hadn't been so greedy, fish and he'd had a little more patience, who knows what those of you who may have thought otherwise do have jobs. They dig holes. They bury the dead fish. life may have had in store. Instead, he went for the quick fix, the easy solution, They do lots of things!" How would you like it if the fish were trying to and it cost him. Little Fish succumbed to the temptation and therefore deserved to pay the price being catch you?" (I wouldn't!! It sounds like the topic of a cooked in tinfoil over a campfire and eaten by ravenStephen King novel, and they scare me! !) The girls then started in on a discussion about reinous fisher people. 1 I have fear carnation, and that perhaps they had been fish in previ- Anyway, back to lesson 36,972 Jorever rained the sport of fishing far nqrswcetdaqghyoarlivcarArwhtch polnrrf had WWtWPYiljNelf and ter. She, like her mother, has a soft heart (Heck, I even rejoin the adults who were discussing the toys in the go so far as to beg for the life of the worms, used to wish book catalog that had arrived earlier that week. bait the fish) So, when attention is drawn to the sufferI think next time - either me, or the fishing poles are ing of the fish die latches onto that idea and feels his I to have to stay home. And I can say right now-whI and fish know think too. can't know, going (yeah, pain it comes to that decision, the fishing poles will feel like we do so chances are when it is yanked out of the water it is just - just scared and startled and fearful win. BY JAN ROWLEY qi Kook of The Week BY JAN ROWLEY Monicas Story; Andrew Morton Monica Lewinsky is a living, breathing, feeling person, just like the rest of us. The difference is while we all make mistakes, she went to the extreme. Monica has certainly made a place for herself in history. If the mere mention of her name conjures up feeling of bewilderment, confusion, and frustration, and if during the scandal involving the President you wondered how this situation could have escalated to the point of overkill read this book. Andrew Morton's book provides a meaningful look at Monica, who she really is. and how she came to her place in history. When the story of her affair with the President broke, many people wondered who is this woman, this sleaze who dared have an affair with the President. Morton's book answers this question and more. In fact odds are after reading the book, you'll empathize with that woman". This is the story of a girl, who was looking for love in all the wrong places. Morton takes us quickly though her childhood, which was privileged with all that money can buy, but perhaps not with all that love can offer. Her parents divorce took its toll on her, and she eventually ended up finding comfort in the arms of a married man. The book provides detail about this first affair, that the media did not. Morton provides information about Monica's relationship with Andy Bleiler, (the 1st married man), that paints a new picture ot him, his infidelity, and Monica. Maybe she is not the homcwreckcr, the media portrayed her lobe. Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, It's A Laugh But Its Not Funny On Channel 4 at 6:30 a.m. on Sept 2nd, 1999 they stated ilcncfcr Utah was the lowest city on Property Taxes. We bought a 100 year old brick home in 1978 for $3,000.00. This included 1.83 acres of land. We added a front porch, some bricks to the falling apart chimneys, and Irene (my wife), planted a few flowers in the front of the porch. We had to put in new windows und doors to keep the snow, wind and rain out as every window and door is warped out of shape. The taxes were $96.00 to begin with. Last year the County decided they needed more money so they boosted the value of our 100 YEAR OLD Home, that's falling apart, by $17,000.00, making the assessed value $ 173,48 1 .00 This year they were ashamed to jump the value of the property any more so they raised the percent on the assessed value. The taxes jumped another $98.00. That makes it. $986.00 a year or $2.71 a day every day of the year. On a fixed income, we are being gradually evicted onto the street by taxes. Where does Channel 4 get off saying the taxes in Henefer are in line with the actual value or the lowest in the State? The influx of building Million Dollar Mansions in Summit County has required the County to build new roads, schools and increase the police force and the other County Utilities as well as their salaries. The Salt Lake Olympic Committee stated we would not pay more, but it is a Laugh and is not funny to any tax payer. Laurel and Irene Brewer Ilenefer,, Utah. Monica went from one married man to the next, from one hopeless relationship to the next-th- e big difference, that made all the difference in the world, was that the next' just happened to be the President of the United Stales. Monica's story takes the reader through the development of the relationship, beginning with Monica's move to Washington on through her move from Washington. The book helps explain how she got herself in this mess in the first place. It also lends a personal element to the man who heads this country. A man, who like all of us, is human. Morton relates conversations and images about Monica and the President, that give the affair a sense of realism. He gives the scandal heart, Monica's heart to be specific. There is not a lot of graphic detail about the nature of the physical encounters between Monica and the President. This is done very tastefully, unlike the Starr report. In fact, some of the information about Ken Starr and his tactics to take down the President, at all costs, may shock you as will the shenanigans of her friend" Linda Tripp. I enjoyed this book. It was interesting to hear Monica's side of the story. 1 felt compassion for this womun, who has endured much pain, and shame for her mistake. A mistake that will follow her, forever. POOR |